Item and Luggage Loss Prevention System

ABSTRACT

Novel tools and techniques are provided for implementing item or luggage loss prevention, which, in some cases, is based on weight measurement. In some embodiments, a device with a processor can be placed under a bag&#39;s handle, within an interior compartment of the bag, below or in the feet or wheels of the bag, and/or the like. The device can allow a user to lock in a weight of the bag. If any item is subsequently removed from (and not returned to) the bag, the device will notify the user, using one or more of audio notification, visual notification, and/or mobile device notification (e.g., via e-mail, text message, SMS, MMS, chat message, and/or the like) that the weight of the bag has changed. In some cases, location detection devices may be implemented to allow the user to backtrack where the missing item might have been left behind.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.14/605,590 (the “'590 application”), filed Jan. 26, 2015 by Faisal Shahet al. (attorney docket no. 0837.02) and titled “Item and Luggage LossPrevention System” which claims priority to U.S. Patent Application Ser.No. 61/943,765 (the “'765 application”), filed Feb. 24, 2014 by FaisalShah (attorney docket no. 0562.01PR) and titled “Item and Luggage LossPrevention System” and U.S. Patent Application Ser. No. 62/046,690 (the“'690 application”), filed Sep. 5, 2014 by Faisal Shah et al. (attorneydocket no. 0562.02PR) and titled “Item and Luggage Loss PreventionSystem.”

The respective disclosures of these applications/patents (which thisdocument refers to collectively as the “Related Applications”) areincorporated herein by reference in their entirety for all purposes.

COPYRIGHT STATEMENT

A portion of the disclosure of this patent document contains materialthat is subject to copyright protection. The copyright owner has noobjection to the facsimile reproduction by anyone of the patent documentor the patent disclosure as it appears in the Patent and TrademarkOffice patent file or records, but otherwise reserves all copyrightrights whatsoever.

FIELD

The present disclosure relates, in general, to a device, system, andmethod for preventing loss of items or luggage, and, more particularly,to a device, system, and method for preventing loss of items or luggagebased on weight measurements.

BACKGROUND

Airports around the world have an epidemic. People are losing valuableitems every time they go through the security checkpoint(s) at airports.This is because one of the requirements of airport security is thattravelers must remove their laptops from their bags. Another requirementis that travelers remove phones and other metallic objects from theirpersons before passing through the scanners. As a consequence, there isa natural tendency for travelers to walk away without collecting theiritems (including, without limitation, laptops, smart phones, tabletcomputers, cellular phones, media players, and/or the like).Approximately 1.7 million people travel through U.S. airports each day.Items are lost everywhere in the airports, including, but not limitedto, on planes, in terminal gates, in lounges, and/or the like. It isestimated that over 16,000 laptops are left at U.S. airports each year.The laptop loss alone is estimated to be around $700 million.

Travelers' items left in airports also put a significant strain on thealready over-worked security personnel such as Transportation SecurityAdministration (“TSA”) personnel in the U.S. It requires that suchpersonnel retain and manage custody of such lost items. Currently, suchlost items are collected by TSA agents and held for 30 days. After the30-day period expires, the hard drives and/or memory are removed and theitems are put on auction. All the information in the computing devicesis subsequently destroyed. This process requires man-hours forcollecting the lost items, tracking how long the lost items have beenheld, removing data storage drives, destroying information stored in thedevices, and auctioning the items.

Third party non-governmental Lost and Found web sites have beenestablished in an effort to help people recover their lost items. It isunclear, however, how successful these sites are. But, for such sites tobe useful, the travelers would have to know about a particular site inorder to be able to post that they have lost something at a particularairport. It would also require that the person who has possession of thelost item(s) know about the site so that they can contact the personthat lost such item(s). In general, such web sites only serve to work onthe recovery of lost items, but cannot help to prevent loss of the itemsin the first place.

In terms of the use of weight measurement of luggage, existing travelscales provide weighing functionality, but such devices are incapable ofalerting a traveler of a change in weight (such as when an item has notbeen put back in the luggage, or the like).

Hence, there is a need for more robust and scalable solutions forpreventing item and luggage loss.

BRIEF SUMMARY

Various embodiments provide techniques for implementing item or luggageloss prevention, which, in some cases, is based on weight measurements.

According to some embodiments, a device containing a processor might beconfigured to be placed under a bag's handle. The device might contain asmall display (including, without limitation, a liquid crystal display(“LCD”), a light emitting diode (“LED”) display, an organic LED (“oLED”)display, and/or the like) and a processor. The device might allow theuser to lock in a weight of a bag. If any item is then removed from (andnot returned to) the bag, the device might notify the user (e.g., usingaudio notification (e.g., recorded voice notification, beeps, and/or thelike), visual notification (e.g., blinking lights, flashing icons,written messages, and/or the like), and/or mobile device notification(e.g., e-mail notification, text message notification, small messageservice (“SMS”) notification, multi-media messaging service (“MMS”)notification, chat message notification, and/or the like) that theweight of the bag has changed (from the locked-in weight). In someembodiments, the device might comprise an LCD display for the weight andnotification, an on or off button, and one or more button(s) tostore/lock-in a weight (or to change the lock-in weight) and to releaseor delete any locked-in or stored weights.

The tools provided by various embodiments include, without limitation,methods, systems, and/or software products. Merely by way of example, amethod might comprise one or more procedures, any or all of which mightbe executed by a computer system. Correspondingly, an embodiment mightprovide a computer system configured with instructions to perform one ormore procedures in accordance with methods provided by various otherembodiments. Similarly, a computer program might comprise a set ofinstructions that are executable by a computer system, or by a processorlocated in the computer system, to perform such operations. In manycases, such software programs are encoded on physical, tangible, and/ornon-transitory computer readable media. Such computer readable mediamight include, to name but a few examples, optical media, magneticmedia, and the like.

In an aspect, a method might comprise receiving, with a device, a firstuser input from a user to lock-in a first weight of a bag, measuring,with the device, the first weight of the bag, in response to receivingthe first user input, and storing, with the device and in a local datastorage device, the measured first weight of the bag, prior to the userremoving one or more items from the bag. The method might furthercomprise measuring, with the device, a second weight of the bag, forexample, in response to second user input, in response to determiningthat the bag is being moved, etc. The method, then, might includedetermining, with the device, whether the second weight of the bagmatches the stored first weight of the bag. The method might alsocomprise, based on a determination that the second weight does not matchthe first weight, notifying, with the device, the user.

According to some embodiments, measuring each of the first weight andthe second weight might comprise measuring using a weight measurementdevice comprising a contact surface and a contact sensor. The weightmeasurement device might have a structure that causes the contactsurface to be brought into contact with the contact sensor when a firstportion of the weight measurement device is lifted with respect to asecond portion of the weight measurement device, which is coupled to thebag. In some cases, the contact sensor might comprise at least one of aflex sensor, a piezoelectric-based sensor, a compression-based sensor,and/or a spring-based sensor.

In some embodiments, the device might be attached to the bag. The bag,according to some embodiments, might comprise one or more of a purse, ahandbag, a tote, a briefcase, a satchel, laptop bag, travel bag, orcarry-on luggage. In some cases, the device might be attached to one ormore handles of the bag. The device, in some instances, might be placedin an interior compartment of the bag. In some embodiments, the devicemight be placed at a bottom portion of the interior compartment of thebag (ideally, below the one or more items when the one or more items areplaced in the bag). According to some embodiments, the device might beplaced below one or more feet of the bag. In some cases, the devicemight be affixed to a position between the bag and each of one or morewheel casters of the bag. In alternative cases, the device might bepositioned within one or more wheel casters of the bag.

In some aspects, measuring each of the first weight and the secondweight might comprise measuring using a weight measurement devicecomprising a load cell selected from a group consisting of a straingauge load cell, a piezoelectric load cell, a capacitive load cell, acompression load cell, a compression/tension load cell, an S-beam loadcell, a bending beam load cell, a platform load cell, a single pointload cell, a canister load cell, and a low profile load cell.Determining that the bag is being moved might, in some embodiments,comprise determining, with the device, that the load cell of the weightmeasurement device is being actuated (which might indicate that the bagis being lifted).

In some cases, determining that the second weight does not match thefirst weight might comprise determining that the second weight is lessthan the first weight. In some instances, determining that the secondweight does not match the first weight might comprise determining thatthe second weight is greater than the first weight. In either case,notifying the user might comprise reminding the user to check that theone or more items that were removed from the bag have been returned tothe bag.

According to some embodiments, the method might further comprisedetermining, with a location detection device of the device, a firstlocation of the device when measuring the first weight of the bag, andstoring, with the device, the first location in the local data storagedevice. Notifying the user might comprise sending a message containingthe first location. In some embodiments, the method might also comprisedetermining, with the location detection device of the device, a secondlocation of the device when measuring the second weight of the bag, andstoring, with the device, the second location in the local data storagedevice. Notifying the user might comprise sending a message containingeach location where a weight of the bag was measured (this might allowthe user to retrace where a lost item might be located, i.e., byretracing where the item might have been removed from the bag). Inembodiments in which the device comprises a location detection device,determining that the bag is being moved might comprise determining, withthe location detection device, that a present location of the device isdifferent from the first location of the device.

In some embodiments, the method might further comprise determining, withthe device, which of one or more items is missing from the bag based ona difference between the first weight and the second weight. This mightinclude pre-storing a plurality of weights of the bag, with and withouteach of the one or more items. Notifying the user might further compriseindicating which of the one or more items might be missing based on thedetermination.

Merely by way of example, in some cases, notifying the user mightcomprise one or more of playing a recorded voice notification, emittingone or more audio tones, displaying one or more light sequences,displaying one or more icons, displaying a written message, sending ane-mail notification, sending a text message notification, sending asmall message service (“SMS”) notification, sending a multi-mediamessaging service (“MMS”) notification, or sending a chat messagenotification.

In another aspect, an apparatus might comprise at least one processor, aweight measurement device, a user interface device, and a computerreadable storage medium in communication with the at least oneprocessor. The computer readable storage medium might have storedthereon computer software. The computer software might comprise a set ofinstructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, causesthe apparatus to perform one or more operations. The set of instructionsmight comprise instructions to receive a first user input from a user tolock-in a first weight of a bag, instructions to measure the firstweight of the bag, in response to receiving the first user input, andinstructions to store the measured first weight of the bag in thecomputer readable storage medium, prior to the user removing one or moreitems from the bag. The set of instructions might further compriseinstructions to determine that the bag is being moved, instructions tomeasure a second weight of the bag, and instructions to determinewhether the second weight of the bag matches the stored first weight ofthe bag. The set of instructions might also comprise instructions to,based on a determination that the second weight does not match the firstweight, notify the user.

According to some embodiments, the apparatus might further comprise alocation detection device (including, without limitation, a globalpositioning system (“GPS”), position triangulation transceivers, and/orthe like). In some cases, the apparatus might further comprise a networkinterface device (including, but not limited to, Bluetooth™ device, an802.11 device, a WiFi device, a WiMax device, a WWAN device, cellularcommunication devices, and/or the like). The user interface device, insome embodiments, might comprise one or more of one or more displaydevices, one or more audio speakers, one or more touchscreen displaydevices, one or more buttons, one or more switches, or one or more lightemitting devices.

In yet another aspect, a method might comprise determining, with adevice, that a weight of a bag has changed, and in response to suchdetermination, notifying, with the device, that one or more items may bemissing from the bag based on the determined change in weight.

Various modifications and additions can be made to the embodimentsdiscussed without departing from the scope of the invention. Forexample, while the embodiments described above refer to particularfeatures, the scope of this invention also includes embodiments havingdifferent combination of features and embodiments that do not includeall of the above described features.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A further understanding of the nature and advantages of particularembodiments may be realized by reference to the remaining portions ofthe specification and the drawings, in which like reference numerals areused to refer to similar components. In some instances, a sub-label isassociated with a reference numeral to denote one of multiple similarcomponents. When reference is made to a reference numeral withoutspecification to an existing sub-label, it is intended to refer to allsuch multiple similar components.

FIG. 1 is a general schematic diagram illustrating a system forimplementing item or luggage loss prevention, in accordance with variousembodiments.

FIGS. 2A and 2B are general block diagrams illustrating variousapparatuses for implementing item or luggage loss prevention, inaccordance with various embodiments.

FIGS. 3A-3F are general schematic diagrams illustrating variousplacement and configurations for an apparatus for implementing item orluggage loss prevention, in accordance with various embodiments.

FIGS. 4A-4F are general schematic diagrams illustrating various viewsand configurations of an apparatus for implementing item or luggage lossprevention, in accordance with various embodiments.

FIG. 5 is a general schematic flow diagram illustrating a method forimplementing item or luggage loss prevention, in accordance with variousembodiments.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram illustrating an exemplary computerarchitecture, in accordance with various embodiments.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram illustrating a networked system of computers,which can be used in accordance with various embodiments.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF CERTAIN EMBODIMENTS

While various aspects and features of certain embodiments have beensummarized above, the following detailed description illustrates a fewexemplary embodiments in further detail to enable one of skill in theart to practice such embodiments. The described examples are providedfor illustrative purposes and are not intended to limit the scope of theinvention.

In the following description, for the purposes of explanation, numerousspecific details are set forth in order to provide a thoroughunderstanding of the described embodiments. It will be apparent to oneskilled in the art, however, that other embodiments of the presentinvention may be practiced without some of these specific details. Inother instances, certain structures and devices are shown in blockdiagram form. Several embodiments are described herein, and whilevarious features are ascribed to different embodiments, it should beappreciated that the features described with respect to one embodimentmay be incorporated with other embodiments as well. By the same token,however, no single feature or features of any described embodimentshould be considered essential to every embodiment of the invention, asother embodiments of the invention may omit such features.

Unless otherwise indicated, all numbers used herein to expressquantities, dimensions, and so forth used should be understood as beingmodified in all instances by the term “about.” In this application, theuse of the singular includes the plural unless specifically statedotherwise, and use of the terms “and” and “or” means “and/or” unlessotherwise indicated. Moreover, the use of the term “including,” as wellas other forms, such as “includes” and “included,” should be considerednon-exclusive. Also, terms such as “element” or “component” encompassboth elements and components comprising one unit and elements andcomponents that comprise more than one unit, unless specifically statedotherwise.

Various embodiments provide techniques for implementing item or luggageloss prevention, which, in some cases, is based on weight measurements.

According to some embodiments, a device containing a processor might beconfigured to be placed under a bag's handle. The device might contain asmall display (including, without limitation, a liquid crystal display(“LCD”), a light emitting diode (“LED”) display, an organic LED (“oLED”)display, and/or the like) and a processor. The device might allow theuser to lock in a weight of a bag. If any item is then removed from (andnot returned to) the bag, the device might notify the user (e.g., usingaudio notification (e.g., recorded voice notification, audio tones,beeps, and/or the like), visual notification (e.g., blinking lights,flashing icons, written messages, and/or the like), and/or mobile devicenotification (e.g., e-mail notification, text message notification,small message service (“SMS”) notification, multi-media messagingservice (“MMS”) notification, chat message notification, and/or thelike) that the weight of the bag has changed (from the locked-inweight). In some embodiments, the device might comprise an LCD displayfor the weight and notification, an on or off button, and one or morebutton(s) to store/lock-in a weight (or to change the lock-in weight)and to release or delete any locked-in or stored weights.

In operation, prior to purposefully removing an item(s) (including,without limitation, a laptop computer, a smart phone, a mobile phone, aportable gaming device, a portable media player, a tablet computer, ane-book reader, and/or the like) from a bag (including, but not limitedto, a purse, a handbag, a tote, a briefcase, a satchel, laptop bag,travel bag, carry-on luggage, and/or the like), the user can lock-in aweight of the bag using the device described above. This is applicable,for example, during security check-in at an airport terminal, during ameal in a restaurant, during a meeting, during a typical workday at theoffice, during school hours, and/or the like. If the user starts to walkaway without the item(s) being returned to the bag, the device willissue a notification, which may take one or more forms, including,without limitation, audio notifications (e.g., recorded voicenotification, beeps, and/or the like), visual notifications (e.g.,blinking lights, flashing icons, written messages, and/or the like),and/or mobile device notifications (e.g., e-mail notification, textmessage notification, SMS notification, MMS notification, chat messagenotification, and/or the like).

We now turn to the embodiments as illustrated by the drawings. FIGS. 1-7illustrate some of the features of the method, system, and apparatus forimplementing item or luggage loss prevention, as referred to above. Themethods, systems, and apparatuses illustrated by FIGS. 1-7 refer toexamples of different embodiments that include various components andsteps, which can be considered alternatives or which can be used inconjunction with one another in the various embodiments. The descriptionof the illustrated methods, systems, and apparatuses shown in FIGS. 1-7is provided for purposes of illustration and should not be considered tolimit the scope of the different embodiments.

With reference to the figures, FIG. 1 is a general schematic diagramillustrating a system 100 for implementing item or luggage lossprevention, in accordance with various embodiments. In FIG. 1, system100 might comprise one or more user devices 105, a bag 110, and device115. The one or more user devices 105 might comprise one or more tabletcomputers 105 a, one or more smart phones 105 b, one or more mobilephones 105 c, or one or more portable gaming devices 105 d, one or moree-book readers 105 e, one or more media players 105 f (such as an MP3audio player, or the like), and/or the like. The bag 110 might includeone of a purse, a handbag, a tote, a briefcase, a satchel, laptop bag,travel bag, carry-on luggage, and/or the like. Device 115 is an item orluggage loss prevention device as described in greater detail below withrespect to FIGS. 2 and 3.

System 100 might further comprise server 120 communicatively coupled tothe device 115 via network 125 (which might be an access network), andin some cases via one or more telecommunications relay systems 130. Theone or more telecommunications relay systems 130 might include, withoutlimitation, one or more wireless network interfaces (e.g., wirelessmodems, wireless access points, and the like), one or more towers, oneor more satellites, and the like. System 100 might further comprisedatabase 135 in communication with server 120.

In some embodiments, system 100 might further comprise a plurality ofuser devices 140, which might include, without limitation, one or moretablet computers 140 a, one or more smart phones 140 b, one or moremobile phones 140 c, or one or more portable gaming devices 140 d, oneor more e-book readers 140 e, one or more media players 140 f (such asan MP3 audio player, or the like), one or more desktop computers 140 g,one or more laptop computers 140 h, and/or the like. In some cases, theone or more tablet computers 140 a, one or more smart phones 140 b, oneor more mobile phones 140 c, or one or more portable gaming devices 140d, one or more e-book readers 140 e, one or more media players 140 fmight be the same as the one or more tablet computers 105 a, one or moresmart phones 105 b, one or more mobile phones 105 c, or one or moreportable gaming devices 105 d, one or more e-book readers 105 e, one ormore media players 105 f.

In operation, device 115 might allow a user to lock-in a first weight ofbag 110 containing the one or more user devices 105. When the userremoves at least one of the one or more user devices 105 (e.g., duringairport security check-in, during the work day, during a meal, duringschool, and/or the like), the first weight will have been stored inmemory (either on the device 115 locally, or in database 135 via server120 and network 125). When the user moves the bag, the device 115 mightdetermine that the bag is being moved. In some instances, this might beaccomplished by sensing, using a weight measurement device of device115, that the bag is being lifted. Alternatively, or additionally, thedevice 115 might comprise a location detection device (e.g., a GPSdevice, a location triangulation transceiver, and/or the like), whichmight be used to determine a change in location of the device 115 and/orthe bag 110.

Once it is determined that the bag 110 is being moved, the device 115might measure a second weight of the bag 110, and might determinewhether the second weight is different from the first weight. If so, thedevice 115 might notify the user that the weight of bag 110 has changed.Notification, in some cases, might take the form of audio notification,visual notification, and/or wireless notification. Audio notificationmight include, without limitation, recorded voice notification, audiotones, beeps, and/or the like). Visual notification might include, butis not limited to, blinking lights, flashing icons, written messages,and/or the like. Wireless notification might include, withoutlimitation, e-mail notification, text message notification, smallmessage service (“SMS”) notification, multi-media messaging service(“MMS”) notification, chat message notification, and/or the like. In thecase of wireless notification, a network interface device of the device115 might communicate with server 120 via network 125 (and, in someinstances, via the one or more telecommunications relay systems 130).The server 120 might send the e-mail, text, SMS, MMS, and/or chatnotifications via network 125 (and, in some instances, via the one ormore telecommunications relay systems 130) to the one or more userdevices 140. Alternatively, device 115 might directly send the e-mail,text, SMS, MMS, and/or chat notifications via network 125 (and, in someinstances, via the one or more telecommunications relay systems 130) tothe one or more user devices 140.

In some embodiments, the one or more user devices 140 might beassociated with the user (or owner of bag 110), while in other cases,the one or more user devices 140 might be associated with a familymember or friend (e.g., a travelling companion) of the user (or owner ofbag 110). Such preferences for sending the notification can be set up bythe user on the device 115 itself and/or at the server 120 (e.g., via auser interface (such as a web user interface, or an App interface, orthe like)). In some cases, a spouse (or boyfriend or girlfriend), or aparent, of the owner of the bag 110 might set up the device 115 tonotify him- or herself (and/or to notify the owner of the bag 110).

We now turn to FIGS. 2 and 3, which are directed to apparatuses 200and/or configurations for implementing item or luggage loss prevention,in accordance with various embodiments. In particular, FIGS. 2A and 2B(collectively, “FIG. 2”) are general block diagrams illustrating variousapparatuses 200 for implementing item or luggage loss prevention, inaccordance with various embodiments. FIGS. 3A-3F (collectively, “FIG.3”) are general schematic diagrams illustrating various placement andconfigurations for an apparatus for implementing item or luggage lossprevention, in accordance with various embodiments.

In FIG. 2A, apparatus 205, which corresponds to device 115 in FIG. 1 (asdescribed in detail above), might comprise processor 210, memory 215,user interface device 220, weight measurement device 225, audio device230, and/or display device 235. Memory 215 might store the notificationpreferences as well as one or more weights (or lock-in weights). Userinterface device 220 might comprise one or more touchscreen displaydevices, one or more buttons, one or more switches, or one or more lightemitting devices. Weight measurement device 225 might comprise a loadcell selected from a group consisting of a strain gauge load cell, apiezoelectric load cell, a capacitive load cell, a compression loadcell, a compression/tension load cell, an S-beam load cell, a bendingbeam load cell, a platform load cell, a single point load cell, acanister load cell, and/or a low profile load cell. Audio device 230might comprise, without limitation, one or more speakers, one or moretone generation devices, and/or the like. Display device 235 mightcomprise one or more light emitting devices, one or more touchscreendevices, one or more liquid crystal displays (“LCDs”), one or more lightemitting diode (“LED”) displays, one or more organic LED (“oLED”)displays, and/or the like.

In FIG. 2B, another embodiment of apparatus 205 might further compriseone or more location detection devices 240 (which might include, withoutlimitation, a GPS device, a location triangulation transceiver, and/orthe like), one or more network interface devices 245 (which mightinclude, but is not limited to, Bluetooth™ device, an 802.11 device, aWiFi device, a WiMax device, a WWAN device, cellular communicationdevices, and/or the like). Apparatuses 200 might function in a mannersimilar to device 115 described in detail above with respect to FIG. 1.

In FIG. 3, various different configurations and placement of a device325 corresponding to device 115 or apparatus 200 are shown. As shown inFIG. 3, bag 205 might comprise one or more handles 310, one or more feet315, and/or one or more wheel casters 320. Although FIG. 3 shows aparticular type of bag, the various embodiments are not so limited, andthe bag 305 can be any suitable bag including, without limitation, apurse, a handbag, a tote, a briefcase, a satchel, laptop bag, travelbag, carry-on luggage, and/or the like.

In the embodiment of FIG. 3A, device 325 might be affixed to at least anunderside of the one or more handles 310. In particular, the weightmeasurement device 225 (shown in FIG. 2) might be placed under the oneor more handles 310. In some embodiments, some portion of the device 325(e.g., one or more of processor 210, memory 215, user interface device220, audio device 230, display device 235, location detection device240, and/or network interface device 245) might be positioned above thehandles 310. In such a manner, these components may be protected againstdamage from constant lifting. Also, having the display device and theaudio device on the upper side of the handles 310 might allow the userto better see and hear notifications through these components.

In the embodiment of FIG. 3B, device 325 might be placed at a bottomportion of an interior of the bag 305, ideally below where the one ormore user devices (e.g., user devices 105 of FIG. 1) might be placed. Inthe embodiment of FIG. 3C, device 325 might be affixed or attached tothe bag 305 between the bag 305 and the one or more handles 310.

In the embodiment of FIG. 3D, device 325 might be affixed to the bottomof the one or more feet 315, while in the embodiment of FIG. 3E, thedevices 325 might be affixed or attached to the bag 305 between the bag305 and the one or more wheel casters 320. Alternatively, as shown inthe embodiment of FIG. 3F, device 325 might be part of each of the wheelcasters 320, where each device 325 might be positioned between the base320 a and the body 320 b of each wheel casters 320, above the wheels 320c.

In the case of embodiments shown in FIGS. 3A and 3C, weight measurementsmust be taken while the corresponding bags 305 are being lifted. In theembodiment of FIG. 3B, weight measurements may be taken when the bag 305is being lifted and when it is resting on a surface (e.g., ground, seat,table, etc.). For the embodiments shown in FIGS. 3D-3F, weightmeasurements may be taken when the bags are resting on a surface (e.g.,ground, seat, table, etc.).

With reference to FIGS. 4A-4F (collectively, “FIG. 4”), which aregeneral schematic diagrams illustrating various views and configurationsof an apparatus 400 for implementing item or luggage loss prevention, inaccordance with various embodiments. FIGS. 4A-4C show side views ofapparatus 400, in which FIGS. 4A and 4C show partial cut-out views ofportions of the apparatus 400. FIG. 4D shows a partial sectional view ofportions of the apparatus 400 as seen along the direction of the A-Aarrows in FIG. 4B, while FIG. 4E shows a partial sectional view ofportions of the apparatus 400 as seen along the direction of the B-Barrows in FIG. 4B; in FIG. 4E, partial sectional view of contact surface440 is shown as a small circle for ease of illustration particularly ascompared with surrounding components and elements of the apparatus 400(and not intended as an accurate sectional or partial section view ofcontact surface 440). FIG. 4F shows a different embodiment of apparatus400. In FIG. 4, dash-lines or dotted-lines might denote cut-out orpartial cut-out portions.

In FIG. 4, apparatus 400 might comprise a main body portion 405 and apiston portion 410. The main body portion 405 might comprise a shellportion 415 and first attachment portion 420. The shell portion 415might comprise a first cap portion 415 a and a second cap portion 415 b.The first attachment portion 420 might attach to the first cap portion.The second cap portion is shown in greater detail in FIGS. 4D and 4E(and is described further below). According to some embodiments, thefirst attachment portion 420 might comprise one of a strap, a handle,and/or a resilient loop, each of which might be made of any suitablematerial including, but not limited to, metal, rubber, cloth, plastic,silicone, wood, or the like, and/or any combination of these materials.

The piston portion 410 might comprise a first attachment brace 425 a, asecond attachment brace 425 b, a second attachment portion 430, and atleast one rod 435. The first attachment brace 425 a might includecontact surface 440, which might comprise any suitable contact pointincluding, but not limited to, a hemispheric contact point, a cubiccontact point, a rectangular box contact point, a ball contact point,and/or the like. In some embodiments, the second attachment portion 430might comprise one of a strap, a handle, and/or a resilient loop, eachof which might be made of any suitable material including, but notlimited to, metal, rubber, cloth, plastic, silicone, wood, or the like,and/or any combination of these materials.

The apparatus 400 might further comprise a contact sensor 445, which maybe either integrally formed with the second cap portion 415 b orseparately formed with respect to the second cap portion 415 b (butlater affixed to the second cap portion 415 b, before assembly of thepiston portion 410 within the main body portion 405). The apparatus 400might further comprise a sensor cable 450 and an interface device 455.The sensor cable 450 might, in some cases, communicatively couple thecontact sensor 445 with the interface device 455. The processing orcalculation of the weight based on the applied force (and changes inunits of measurement, taring (i.e., the process of accounting for weightof the luggage and/or other components from the gross weight to measureweight of specific item(s) in the luggage), and/or the like) may beperformed by a processor that is either located in the contact sensor445 and/or the interface device 455. According to some embodiments, thecontact sensor 445 might include, without limitation, at least one of aflex sensor, a piezoelectric-based sensor, a compression-based sensor, aspring-based sensor, and/or the like.

The contact surface 440 may be made of any suitable material, including,without limitation, metal, rubber, cloth, plastic, silicone, wood, orthe like, and/or any combination of these materials, so long as thematerial does not deform so much that accurate measurement of force ofcontact between the contact surface 440 and the contact sensor 445cannot be made. In some cases, the contact surface 440 might beintegrally formed with the first attachment brace 425 a (and might be ofthe same material or different material from the material of the firstattachment brace 425 a). In some instances, the contact surface 440might be separately formed from the first attachment brace 425 a (andmight be of the same material or different material from the material ofthe first attachment brace 425 a), and might be assembled with the firstattachment brace 425 a prior to assembly in the main body portion 405.

In operation, one of the main body portion 405 or the piston portion 410might be (removably or permanently) attached or affixed to a piece ofluggage (e.g., bag 305 as shown in FIG. 3, or any other suitable type ofbaggage, or the like), while the other of the main body portion 405 orthe piston portion 410 might be carried (i.e., manipulated) by a user.When no force is applied (or when not fully lifted), the contact surface440 and the contact sensor 445 might be spaced apart (as shown in FIG.4A). When the user-manipulated portion (i.e., one of the main bodyportion 405 or the piston portion 410) is lifted, however, the firstattachment brace 425 a (and the contact surface 440 that is attachedthereto or is otherwise part thereof) might move toward the second capportion 415 b (and the contact sensor 445 that is attached thereto or isotherwise part thereof), until the contact surface 440 makes contactwith the contact sensor 445 (as shown in FIG. 4C). When the relativepositions of the main body portion 405 and the piston portion 410 havestabilized (i.e., as weight of the luggage and contents therein areapplied), the contact surface 440 applies a proportional amount of forceto the contact sensor 445, which is measured and eventually registeredas weight (in a manner similar to that described with respect to FIGS.1-3 and 5). The weight may, in some cases, be displayed on a displayscreen or display device of the interface device 455. In someembodiments, the weight might be sent wirelessly as a data packet (fromthe interface device 455 and/or from the contact sensor 445) to a userdevice (e.g., smart phone, laptop, television, and/or the like) to bedisplayed on a display screen of the user device.

In some embodiments, the interface device 455 might comprise one or moreof a display screen to display computed/measured weight, a voice outputdevice (e.g., a speaker or the like) to provide vocal (or simulatedvocal) outputs of the computed/measured weight, buttons to allow theuser to select options (e.g., to turn on/off the display, to turn on/offthe vocal output device, to select unit of weight, to select options forstoring weights, to send computed/measured weights or other storedvalues or data to another user device (including, but not limited to, asmart phone, a mobile phone, a tablet computer, a laptop computer, adesktop computer, a television, and/or the like), to a server, and/orthe like)). In some cases, such as in embodiments where the one of themain body portion 405 or the piston portion 410 is (removably orpermanently) attached or affixed to the piece of luggage, the interfacedevice 455 might comprise attachment mechanisms that allow the interfacedevice 455 to also be (removably or permanently) attached or affixed tothe piece of luggage (ideally in a manner so as to be easily viewedand/or manipulated by the user). In some instances, the interface device455 might be (removably or permanently) attached or affixed to someportion of the apparatus 400, including, without limitation, the firstattachment portion 420, the second attachment portion 430, the first capportion 415 a, the second cap portion 415 b, an exterior part of theshell portion 415, and/or the like. In a non-limiting example, FIG. 4Fshows the interface device 455 (removably or permanently) attached oraffixed to an exterior portion of the first cap portion 415 a (along theside of the shell portion 415).

According to some embodiments, where the interface device 455 ispermanently attached or affixed to an exterior portion of the apparatus400 (including, without limitation, the first attachment portion 420,the second attachment portion 430, the first cap portion 415 a, thesecond cap portion 415 b, an exterior part of the shell portion 415,and/or the like), the sensor cable 450 might be routed within the shellportion 415. In some embodiments, where the interface device 455 is(removably or permanently) attached or affixed to a portion of the pieceof luggage, or removably attached or affixed to an exterior portion ofthe apparatus 400 (including, without limitation, the first attachmentportion 420, the second attachment portion 430, the first cap portion415 a, the second cap portion 415 b, an exterior part of the shellportion 415, and/or the like), the sensor cable 450 might be routedthrough slot 460 (as shown in FIG. 4B).

In some cases, the at least one rod 435 might include one of two rods(as shown in FIG. 4), three rods (not shown), four rods (not shown), orany suitable number of rods. In some instances, the first attachmentbrace 425 a and each of the at least one rod 435 might form a U-shapedbrace (not shown), the “legs” of which might fit through the openings465 in the second attachment brace 425 b, while the “top” of theU-shaped brace might include contact surface 440. In some embodiments,the U-shaped brace might include, without limitation, one of a curvedU-shaped brace, a flat U-shaped brace, or a curved W-shaped brace,and/or the like. The curved U-shaped brace might comprise a “top” of theU-shaped brace that is curved outward toward first cap portion 415 awhen the U-shaped brace is installed in the main body portion 405. Theflat U-shaped brace might include a “top” of the U-shaped brace that issubstantially perpendicular with the “legs” of the U-shaped brace. Thecurved W-shaped brace might have a “top” of the U-shaped brace thatfirst curves outward toward the first cap portion 415 a (when theU-shaped brace is installed in the main body portion 405) from each ofthe “legs,” then curved inward away from the first cap portion 415 a andtoward the second cap portion 415 b to meet in the middle (the overallshape of which evokes or resembles the letter W that has curvyconnections). In some instances, the U-shaped brace might have a flatprofile (i.e., instead of “rods” for legs, the “legs” might be flatrectangular pieces). In other cases, the U-shaped brace might havecircular or oval cross-sections throughout (i.e., the “legs” and/or the“top” might be cylindrical or a bent cylinder, or the like).

FIGS. 4D and 4E show partial sectional views of apparatus 400 (along theA-A and B-B directions in FIG. 4B) that show how the piston portion 410is connected or assembled with the main body portion 405. In particular,openings 465 (two in the case of the embodiment of FIG. 4D) are shown inthe second cap portion 415 b. The openings 465 (shown as being circularin FIGS. 4D and 4E) may be of whatever shape that matches with the shapeof the at least one rod 435, so as to allow each of the at least one rod435 to pass through each corresponding opening 465. The contact sensor445, although shown as having circular cross section, can have a crosssection having any suitable shape, including, but not limited to,circle, square, triangle, rectangle, any polygon, or any irregularshape, and/or the like. Likewise, the contact surface 440, althoughshown as having circular cross section, can have a cross section havingany suitable shape, including, but not limited to, circle, square,triangle, rectangle, any polygon, or any irregular shape, and/or thelike. In general, however, the shapes of the contact sensor 445 and thecontact surface 440 are chosen to complement each other (although notnecessarily having the same shape) to ensure proper mutual contact toafford accurate force/weight measurements.

In some instances, one of the first attachment portion 420 or the secondattachment portion 430 might include, without limitation, a handle,strap, or bar that is configured to be held with a user's hand(s), whilethe other of the first attachment portion 420 or the second attachmentportion 430 might include, but is not limited to, a handle, strap, orbar that is configured to be (removably or permanently) attached oraffixed to a piece of luggage. In some embodiments, the other of thefirst attachment portion 420 or the second attachment portion 430 (i.e.,the luggage-side attachment portion) might include, without limitation,a releasable engagement device 470, which might include (but is notlimited) to one of a clasp, a buckle, a carabiner, a clip, or any othersuitable fastener, or the like. The releasable engagement device 470might be made of any suitable material including, without limitation,metal, plastic, and/or the like. In operation, the clasp-type orbuckle-type engagement devices 470 might be separable into two portions,a first portion attached or affixed to a first part of the luggage-sideattachment portion and a second portion attached or affixed to a secondpart of the luggage-side attachment portion. In some cases, as shown inthe non-limiting example of FIG. 4F, the first part 430′ of theluggage-side portion might be longer than the second part 430″ of theluggage-side portion, with the engagement device 470 removably couplingthe first part 430′ to the second part 430″. The longer first part 430′allows the luggage-side portion to loop about a handle or otherloop-type structure on the piece of luggage, and to allow the weight ofthe handle or other loop-type structure on the piece of luggage to beheld against the first part 430′ without the weight of the luggagepressing against (and potentially damaging) the engagement device 470.

In some cases, the apparatus 400 (including each of the main bodyportion 405 and the piston portion 410) might be cylindrical in shape.In other cases, the apparatus 400 (including each of the main bodyportion 405 and the piston portion 410) might be rectangular in shape.While in still other cases, the apparatus 400 (including each of themain body portion 405 and the piston portion 410) might be any suitableshape. In some embodiments, any edges and/or any corners may be made tobe rounded.

Although FIG. 4 shows the contact surface 440 attached or affixed to thepiston portion 410 while the contact sensor 445 is shown attached oraffixed to the main body portion 405, the various embodiments are not solimited, and the contact surface 440 attached or affixed to the mainbody portion 405 while the contact sensor 445 is shown attached oraffixed to the piston portion 410.

We now turn to FIG. 5, which is a general schematic flow diagramillustrating a method 500 for implementing item or luggage lossprevention, in accordance with various embodiments. While the techniquesand procedures of the method 500 is depicted and/or described in acertain order for purposes of illustration, it should be appreciatedthat certain procedures may be reordered and/or omitted within the scopeof various embodiments. Moreover, while the method illustrated by FIG. 5can be implemented by (and, in some cases, are described below withrespect to) systems 100 of FIG. 1 (or components thereof), apparatus 200of FIG. 2, apparatus 325 of FIG. 3, and/or apparatus 400 of FIG. 4, themethod may also be implemented using any suitable hardwareimplementation. Similarly, while system 100 (and/or components thereof)can operate according to the method illustrated by FIG. 5 (e.g., byexecuting instructions embodied on a computer readable medium), system100 can also operate according to other modes of operation and/orperform other suitable procedures.

In FIG. 5, method 500 might comprise, at block 505, determining, with adevice, a first user input from a user to lock-in a first weight of abag. Method 500 might further comprise measuring, with the device, thefirst weight of the bag, in response to receiving the first user input(block 510). At block 515, method 500 might comprise storing, with thedevice and in a local data storage device, the measured first weight ofthe bag, prior to the user removing one or more items from the bag.

In some embodiments, particular where the device might comprise alocation detection device (such as location detection device 240 shownin FIG. 2), method 500 might, at block 520, comprise determining, withthe location detection device of the device, a first location of thedevice (e.g., when measuring the first weight of the bag). At block 525,method 500 might comprise storing, with the device, the first locationin the local data storage device.

Method 500 might further comprise determining, with the device, that thebag is being moved (block 530). In some cases, this might comprisedetermining, with the location detection device of the device, a secondlocation of the device when measuring the second weight of the bag(block 535), storing, with the device, the second location in the localdata storage device (block 540), and determining, with the device, thatthe second location is different from the first location.

At block 545, method 500 might comprise measuring, with the device, asecond weight of the bag. In some cases, this second measurement mightbe performed in response to determining that the bag is being moved. Inother cases, the second measurement might be performed in response toanother triggering event (e.g., user input requesting the weight of thebag) and/or the measurement might be performed periodically.

Method 500, at block 550, might comprise determining, with the device,whether the second weight of the bag matches the stored first weight ofthe bag. In some embodiments, method 500 might comprise, at block 555,determining, with the device, which of one or more items (including,without limitation, laptops, smart phones, tablet computers, cellularphones, media players, and/or the like) is missing from the bag based ona difference between the first weight and the second weight. This mightinclude pre-storing a plurality of weights of the bag, with and withouteach of the one or more items.

Based on a determination that the second weight does not match the firstweight, method 500 might comprise notifying, with the device, the user(block 560). In some embodiments, notifying the user might comprise oneor more of playing a recorded voice notification, emitting one or moreaudio tones, displaying one or more light sequences, displaying one ormore icons, displaying a written message, sending an e-mailnotification, sending a text message notification, sending a smallmessage service (“SMS”) notification, sending a multi-media messagingservice (“MMS”) notification, or sending a chat message notification.

We now turn to FIG. 6, which is a block diagram illustrating anexemplary computer architecture. FIG. 6 provides a schematicillustration of one embodiment of a computer system 600 that can performthe methods provided by various other embodiments, as described herein,and/or can perform the functions of local computer system 115, 205, 325,or 400, or remote computer system 120, or other computer systems asdescribed above. It should be noted that FIG. 6 is meant only to providea generalized illustration of various components, of which one or more,or none, of each may be utilized as appropriate. FIG. 6, therefore,broadly illustrates how individual system elements may be implemented ina relatively separated or relatively more integrated manner.

The computer system 600 is shown comprising hardware elements that canbe electrically coupled via a bus 605, or may otherwise be incommunication, as appropriate. The hardware elements may include one ormore processors 610, including without limitation one or moregeneral-purpose processors, or one or more special-purpose processorssuch as digital signal processing chips, graphics accelerationprocessors, or the like; one or more input devices 615, which caninclude without limitation a mouse, a keyboard, or the like; and one ormore output devices 620, which can include without limitation a displaydevice, a printer, or the like.

The computer system 600 may further include, or be in communicationwith, one or more storage devices 625. The one or more storage devices625 can comprise, without limitation, local and/or network accessiblestorage, or can include, without limitation, a disk drive, a drivearray, an optical storage device, a solid-state storage device. Thesolid-state storage device can include, but is not limited to, one ormore of a random access memory (“RAM”) or a read-only memory (“ROM”),which can be programmable, flash-updateable, or the like. Such storagedevices may be configured to implement any appropriate data stores,including without limitation various file systems, database structures,or the like.

The computer system 600 might also include a communications subsystem630, which can include without limitation a modem, a network card(wireless or wired), an infra-red communication device, a wirelesscommunication device or chipset, or the like. The wireless communicationdevice might include, but is not limited to, a Bluetooth™ device, an802.11 device, a WiFi device, a WiMax device, a WWAN device, cellularcommunication facilities, or the like.

The communications subsystem 630 may permit data to be exchanged with anetwork (such as network 125, to name an example), with other computersystems, with any other devices described herein, or with anycombination of network, systems, and devices. According to someembodiments, network 125 might include a local area network (“LAN”),including without limitation a fiber network, an Ethernet network, aToken-Ring™ network, and the like; a wide-area network (“WAN”); awireless wide area network (“WWAN”); a virtual network, such as avirtual private network (“VPN”); the Internet; an intranet; an extranet;a public switched telephone network (“PSTN”); an infra-red network; awireless network, including without limitation a network operating underany of the IEEE 802.11 suite of protocols, the Bluetooth™ protocol, orany other wireless protocol; or any combination of these or othernetworks. In many embodiments, the computer system 600 will furthercomprise a working memory 635, which can include a RAM or ROM device, asdescribed above.

The computer system 600 may also comprise software elements, shown asbeing currently located within the working memory 635, including anoperating system 640, device drivers, executable libraries, or othercode. The software elements may include one or more application programs645, which may comprise computer programs provided by variousembodiments, or may be designed to implement methods and/or configuresystems provided by other embodiments, as described herein. Merely byway of example, one or more procedures described with respect to themethods discussed above might be implemented as code or instructionsexecutable by a computer or by a processor within a computer. In anaspect, such code or instructions can be used to configure or adapt ageneral purpose computer, or other device, to perform one or moreoperations in accordance with the described methods.

A set of these instructions or code might be encoded and/or stored on anon-transitory computer readable storage medium, such as the storagedevices 625 described above. In some cases, the storage medium might beincorporated within a computer system, such as the system 600. In otherembodiments, the storage medium might be separate from a computersystem—that is, a removable medium, such as a compact disc, or the like.In some embodiments, the storage medium might be provided in aninstallation package, such that the storage medium can be used toprogram, configure, and/or adapt a general purpose computer with theinstructions/code stored thereon. These instructions might take the formof executable code, which is executable by the computer system 600, ormight take the form of source or installable code. The source orinstallable code, upon compilation, installation, or both compilationand installation, on the computer system 600 might take the form ofexecutable code. Compilation or installation might be performed usingany of a variety of generally available compilers, installationprograms, compression/decompression utilities, or the like.

It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that substantialvariations may be made in accordance with specific requirements. Forexample, customized hardware—such as programmable logic controllers,field-programmable gate arrays, application-specific integratedcircuits, or the like—might also be used. In some cases, particularelements might be implemented in hardware, software (including portablesoftware, such as applets, etc.), or both. Further, connection to othercomputing devices such as network input/output devices may be employed.

As mentioned above, in one aspect, some embodiments may employ acomputer system, such as the computer system 600, to perform methods inaccordance with various embodiments of the invention. According to a setof embodiments, some or all of the procedures of such methods might beperformed by the computer system 600 in response to processor 610executing one or more sequences of one or more instructions. The one ormore instructions might be incorporated into the operating system 640 orother code that may be contained in the working memory 635, such as anapplication program 645. Such instructions may be read into the workingmemory 635 from another computer readable medium, such as one or more ofthe storage devices 625. Merely by way of example, execution of thesequences of instructions contained in the working memory 635 mightcause the one or more processors 610 to perform one or more proceduresof the methods described herein.

The terms “machine readable medium” and “computer readable medium,” asused herein, refer to any medium that participates in providing datathat causes a machine to operate in a specific fashion. In an embodimentimplemented using the computer system 600, various computer readablemedia might be involved in providing instructions or code to the one ormore processors 610 for execution, might be used to store and/or carrysuch instructions/code such as signals, or both. In manyimplementations, a computer readable medium is a non-transitory,physical, or tangible storage medium. Such a medium may take many forms,including, but not limited to, non-volatile media, volatile media, andtransmission media. Non-volatile media includes, for example, opticaldisks, magnetic disks, or both, such as the storage devices 625.Volatile media includes, without limitation, dynamic memory, such as theworking memory 635. Transmission media includes, without limitation,coaxial cables, copper wire and fiber optics, including the wires thatcomprise the bus 605, as well as the various components of thecommunication subsystem 630, or the media by which the communicationssubsystem 630 provides communication with other devices. Hence,transmission media can also take the form of waves, including withoutlimitation radio, acoustic, or light waves, such as those generatedduring radio-wave and infra-red data communications.

Common forms of physical or tangible computer readable media include,for example, a floppy disk, a flexible disk, a hard disk, magnetic tape,or any other magnetic medium; a CD-ROM, DVD-ROM, or any other opticalmedium; punch cards, paper tape, or any other physical medium withpatterns of holes; a RAM, a PROM, an EPROM, a FLASH-EPROM, or any othermemory chip or cartridge; a carrier wave; or any other medium from whicha computer can read instructions or code.

As noted above, a set of embodiments comprises methods and systems forimplementing item or luggage loss prevention. FIG. 7 illustrates aschematic diagram of a system 700 that can be used in accordance withone set of embodiments. The system 700 can include one or more usercomputers or user devices 705. A user computer or user device 705 can bea general purpose personal computer (including, merely by way ofexample, desktop computers, tablet computers, laptop computers, handheldcomputers, and the like, running any appropriate operating system,several of which are available from vendors such as Apple, MicrosoftCorp., and the like) and/or a workstation computer running any of avariety of commercially-available UNIX™ or UNIX-like operating systems.A user computer or user device 705 can also have any of a variety ofapplications, including one or more applications configured to performmethods provided by various embodiments (as described above, forexample), as well as one or more office applications, database clientand/or server applications, and/or web browser applications.Alternatively, a user computer or user device 705 can be any otherelectronic device, such as a thin-client computer, Internet-enabledmobile telephone, and/or personal digital assistant, capable ofcommunicating via a network (e.g., the network 710 described below)and/or of displaying and navigating web pages or other types ofelectronic documents. Although the exemplary system 700 is shown withtwo user computers or user devices 705, any number of user computers oruser devices can be supported.

Certain embodiments operate in a networked environment, which caninclude a network 710. The network 710 can be any type of networkfamiliar to those skilled in the art that can support datacommunications using any of a variety of commercially-available (and/orfree or proprietary) protocols, including without limitation TCP/IP,SNA™, IPX™, AppleTalk™, and the like. Merely by way of example, thenetwork 710 can include a local area network (“LAN”), including withoutlimitation a fiber network, an Ethernet network, a Token-Ring™ networkand/or the like; a wide-area network (“WAN”); a wireless wide areanetwork (“WWAN”); a virtual network, such as a virtual private network(“VPN”); the Internet; an intranet; an extranet; a public switchedtelephone network (“PSTN”); an infra-red network; a wireless network,including without limitation a network operating under any of the IEEE802.11 suite of protocols, the Bluetooth™ protocol known in the art,and/or any other wireless protocol; and/or any combination of theseand/or other networks. In a particular embodiment, the network mightinclude an access network of the service provider (e.g., an Internetservice provider (“ISP”)). In another embodiment, the network mightinclude a core network of the service provider, and/or the Internet.

Embodiments can also include one or more server computers 715. Each ofthe server computers 715 may be configured with an operating system,including without limitation any of those discussed above, as well asany commercially (or freely) available server operating systems. Each ofthe servers 715 may also be running one or more applications, which canbe configured to provide services to one or more clients 705 and/orother servers 715.

Merely by way of example, one of the servers 715 might be a data server,as described above. The data server might include (or be incommunication with) a web server, which can be used, merely by way ofexample, to process requests for web pages or other electronic documentsfrom user computers 705. The web server can also run a variety of serverapplications, including HTTP servers, FTP servers, CGI servers, databaseservers, Java servers, and the like. In some embodiments of theinvention, the web server may be configured to serve web pages that canbe operated within a web browser on one or more of the user computers705 to perform methods of the invention.

The server computers 715, in some embodiments, might include one or moreapplication servers, which can be configured with one or moreapplications accessible by a client running on one or more of the clientcomputers 705 and/or other servers 715. Merely by way of example, theserver(s) 715 can be one or more general purpose computers capable ofexecuting programs or scripts in response to the user computers 705and/or other servers 715, including without limitation web applications(which might, in some cases, be configured to perform methods providedby various embodiments). Merely by way of example, a web application canbe implemented as one or more scripts or programs written in anysuitable programming language, such as Java™, C, C#™ or C++, and/or anyscripting language, such as Perl, Python, or TCL, as well ascombinations of any programming and/or scripting languages. Theapplication server(s) can also include database servers, includingwithout limitation those commercially available from Oracle™,Microsoft™, Sybase™, IBM™ and the like, which can process requests fromclients (including, depending on the configuration, dedicated databaseclients, API clients, web browsers, etc.) running on a user computer oruser device 705 and/or another server 715. In some embodiments, anapplication server can perform one or more of the processes forimplementing automated cloud expansion and ordering, or the like, asdescribed in detail above. Data provided by an application server may beformatted as one or more web pages (comprising HTML, JavaScript, etc.,for example) and/or may be forwarded to a user computer 705 via a webserver (as described above, for example). Similarly, a web server mightreceive web page requests and/or input data from a user computer 705and/or forward the web page requests and/or input data to an applicationserver. In some cases a web server may be integrated with an applicationserver.

In accordance with further embodiments, one or more servers 715 canfunction as a file server and/or can include one or more of the files(e.g., application code, data files, etc.) necessary to implementvarious disclosed methods, incorporated by an application running on auser computer 705 and/or another server 715. Alternatively, as thoseskilled in the art will appreciate, a file server can include allnecessary files, allowing such an application to be invoked remotely bya user computer or user device 705 and/or server 715.

It should be noted that the functions described with respect to variousservers herein (e.g., application server, database server, web server,file server, etc.) can be performed by a single server and/or aplurality of specialized servers, depending on implementation-specificneeds and parameters.

In certain embodiments, the system can include one or more databases720. The location of the database(s) 720 is discretionary: merely by wayof example, a database 720 a might reside on a storage medium local to(and/or resident in) a server 715 a (and/or a user computer or userdevice 705). Alternatively, a database 720 b can be remote from any orall of the computers 705, 715, so long as it can be in communication(e.g., via the network 710) with one or more of these. In a particularset of embodiments, a database 720 can reside in a storage-area network(“SAN”) familiar to those skilled in the art. (Likewise, any necessaryfiles for performing the functions attributed to the computers 705, 715can be stored locally on the respective computer and/or remotely, asappropriate.) In one set of embodiments, the database 720 can be arelational database, such as an Oracle database, that is adapted tostore, update, and retrieve data in response to SQL-formatted commands.The database might be controlled and/or maintained by a database server,as described above, for example.

According to some embodiments, the system can further include device725, which is configured to be attached to and/or placed in a bag(including, without limitation, a purse, a handbag, a tote, a briefcase,a satchel, laptop bag, travel bag, carry-on luggage, and/or the like).In some cases, device 725 is an item or luggage loss prevention devicethat is weight-measurement-based, as described in detail above withrespect to FIGS. 1-5. In other words, device 725 might correspond with,and might have functionalities that are similar to, devices 115, 205,325, and 400 as described in detail with respect to FIGS. 1-4.

Although the above embodiments specifically identify electronicscomponents as items that can be tracked (by weight) to prevent loss, thevarious embodiments are not so limited, and other items may be similarlytracked. Such other items might include, without limitation, eye wear,time pieces (e.g., watches, stopwatches, etc.), jewelry, clothing(ideally, heavier articles of clothing), gifts, toiletry, personalhygiene products, and/or the like.

In some embodiments, the systems, apparatuses, and/or methods describedabove may be applied to child safety seats or child seats. For example,with reference to the embodiments of FIG. 3, device 325 (or similardevice) may be affixed to at least an underside of a handle of the childseat (so that when positioned from a stored position to a carryingposition, relative to the body of the child seat, the device ispositioned on at least the underside of the handle), not unlike therelative positioning as shown in FIG. 3A. In some cases, some portion ofthe device 325 (e.g., one or more of processor 210, memory 215, userinterface device 220, audio device 230, display device 235, locationdetection device 240, and/or network interface device 245) might bepositioned above the handles, not unlike the embodiment of FIG. 3A. Insome instances, device 325 (or similar device) might be affixed orattached to the child seat between the child seat and the handle (e.g.,a hinge joint or other suitable connection joint, or the like), notunlike the embodiment of FIG. 3C.

In some cases, device 325 (or similar device) might be placed at abottom portion of a child seat—for example, between a bottom shellportion and bottom inner cushions (i.e., the part on which a baby's bodymay be set to rest) of the child seat, not unlike the embodiment of FIG.3B. Alternatively, device 325 (or similar device) might be placed belowthe bottom shell portion of the child seat (i.e., below the feet of thechild seat, if any), not unlike the embodiment of FIG. 3D. In someinstances, if the child seat has feet or wheels, device 325 (or similardevice) might be placed between the bottom shell portion of the childseat and the feet or wheels of the child seat, not unlike the embodimentof FIG. 3E, or as part of the feet or wheels of the child seat, notunlike the embodiment of FIG. 3F.

Merely by way of example, for compression-based weight sensing, such asshown in the embodiments of FIG. 3A, 3B, or 3D-3F, the device 325 (orsimilar device) might comprise a contact surface (e.g., contact surface440, or the like) and a contact sensor (e.g., contact sensor 445, or thelike). The contact surface and the contact sensor are configured so asto be spaced apart when not sensing—which, in some embodiments, may beaccomplished with the use of springs, gravity, or the like. Wheresprings are used, the sensor might be calibrated to take into accountthe spring constant and other properties of the spring and/or connectionconfigurations when calculating or measuring weight. The contact sensor,like that in the embodiment of FIG. 4, might communicatively couple toan interface device (e.g., interface device 455) via a cable (e.g.,sensor cable 450). A processor (located either in the contact sensor orthe interface device) might perform processing or calculation of theweight based on the applied force. In some cases, the interface devicemight couple to a network interface device and/or location detectiondevice, and might allow sending of notifications, alerts, or messages touser devices associated with the parents or guardians of the baby if thebaby is missing, in danger, or otherwise. The location detection mighthelp parents or guardians in determining where the child was last in thechild seat, which may help in locating a missing baby. In someembodiments, multiple devices may be used for each child seat, e.g., toprovide more nuanced weight measurements (e.g., for detecting problemsor issues that the baby might encounter, as described below).

For tension-based weight sensing, such as shown in the embodiments ofFIG. 3C or 4, the apparatus 400 (or similar apparatus) may be used, in amanner as described above with respect to FIGS. 3C and 4. In some cases,the child seat might have an outer shell housing and an inner shellhousing. The inner shell housing might have the cushion and the like onwhich the baby may be set to rest, while the outer shell housing isdesigned to rest on a surface (e.g., seat of a car, a table, a bed, aground surface, or a frame for a baby stroller, and/or the like). Insome embodiments, the outer shell housing might have a lip or wall thatextends upward to encompass at least a portion of an exterior lip orwall of the inner shell housing, and the child seat might comprise twoor more (e.g., three or four) connection apparatuses, not unlikeapparatus 400 that connects or couples the inner shell housing to theouter shell housing. In some cases, the outer shell housing lip or wallmight be vertically aligned with the at least a portion of the exteriorlip or wall of the inner shell housing, although such configuration isnot necessary for achieving the functionalities described herein. In oneset of embodiments, for each of the connection apparatuses, the outershell housing might be connected to first attachment portion (e.g.,first attachment portion 420 or the like), while the inner shell housingmight be connected to second attachment portion (e.g., second attachmentportion 430 or the like). In this manner, the inner shell housing isalmost always hanging from the outer shell housing. The tension-basedweight sensing embodiments are otherwise similar, if not identical, tothe compression-based weight sensing embodiments, and descriptions ofthe compression-based weight sensing embodiments are similarlyapplicable to those of the tension-based weight sensing embodiments.

With the systems, apparatuses, and methods described above, it is madepossible to ensure that a baby is not left behind, such as whenabsent-minded and rushed parents or guardians are packing luggage and/orother children for a trip and potentially, accidentally leaving the babybehind (thinking that the baby is securely fastened in the child seat).This might be exacerbated by child seat covers or blankets for keepingthe baby warm (such covers or blankets might obscure one's view of thepresence or absence of the baby). With the systems, apparatuses, andmethods described above, it may easily be determined that the baby isabsent, and, in some cases, a notification (e.g., sound notification,e-mail notification, text/chat message notification, voice recordingnotification, and/or the like) might alert the parents or guardians ofthis fact (in some cases, by sending such notification to a mobiledevice(s) associated with the parents or guardians). In some instances,a proximity or motion sensor on the child seat might determine whether aparent or other persons are moving away from the child seat, and mightsend such information to a processor (e.g., processor 210). In somecases, the proximity sensor might track proximity (and/or movementrelative) to a mobile device(s) associated with the parents or guardiansof the child. If the processor determines that the proximity or motionsensor data indicate that a parent or other persons have moved away fromthe child seat by a certain (predetermined or preset) distance while thechild seat is occupied by a child (e.g., by receiving weight and weightchange data indicating that the child is in the child seat, etc.),regardless of whether the child seat is in a vehicle, at home, or insome other location, then the processor might send a notification (e.g.,sound notification, e-mail notification, text/chat message notification,voice recording notification, and/or the like) of such fact to themobile device(s) associated with the parents or guardians. In someinstances, such notification can warn the parents or guardians when thechild seat with the child in it has been moved away from them (eitherinadvertently or purposefully) by some other person.

In other embodiments, the systems, apparatuses, and methods describedabove might determine that the baby has somehow gotten out of the childseat, and may alert the parents or guardians of such an event (in somecases, by sending a notification to the mobile device(s) associated withthe parents or guardians). In yet other embodiments, systems,apparatuses, and methods described above might determine that somethingis amiss with the baby (including, but not limited to, the baby is toostill for too long, the weight distribution of the baby is not normal,excess weight is detected, and/or the like), which might indicate urgent(and potentially serious or dangerous) issues have arisen with respectto the baby (e.g., the baby is either in deep sleep or not breathing,the baby is in an odd position that might harm the baby, something hasfallen on the child seat and/or the baby, and/or the like). In somecases, with the constant or near constant weight measurement, and withappropriate storage devices installed or frequent sending of weightinformation to an external storage device, the baby's weight can betracked over time to give the parents, guardians, or pediatrician arecord of the baby's growth.

Although applications related to babies are described above with respectto child seats, other appliances or such may also be configured to usethe systems, apparatuses, and/or methods described herein. For example,bassinets (where stationary, rocking, hanging, or the like) may bemodified (or designed) to utilize the systems, apparatuses, and/ormethods herein, in a manner similar to those as described above withrespect to the child seats. With such modified (or designed) bassinets,it can be determined when and if the baby has fallen out, has crawledout, has climbed out, or has been taken out, or the like. It can also bedetermined if, when, and for how long the baby has not been too stillfor too long, or if, when, and for how long an abnormal weightdistribution of the baby is detected. It can be determined if, when, andfor how long an excess weight is detected (e.g., suddenly detected). Andso on. These and other weight-based or weight determined issues may bedetermined, and notifications of such may be sent to parents, guardians,and/or pediatricians (or the parents, guardians, and/or pediatriciansare otherwise alerted of such issues) as necessary or desired. As withthe child seat, the baby's weight can be tracked to allow recording ofthe baby's growth over time.

These and other similar systems, apparatuses, and methods may besimilarly applicable to pet carriers, pet mats (or mattresses) invehicles, pet mats (or mattresses) at home, and/or the like, in order toprovide similar information to pet owners about their pets. For outdoorsports enthusiasts, similar technology may be applied to vehicle partsto alert people of missing bicycles, kayaks, canoes, rafts, snowboards,skis, trailers, and/or the like. The various embodiments are not limitedto these specific embodiments described herein, and may be applied toother situations and uses, as ordinary (or skilled) person canappreciate.

While certain features and aspects have been described with respect toexemplary embodiments, one skilled in the art will recognize thatnumerous modifications are possible. For example, the methods andprocesses described herein may be implemented using hardware components,software components, and/or any combination thereof. Further, whilevarious methods and processes described herein may be described withrespect to particular structural and/or functional components for easeof description, methods provided by various embodiments are not limitedto any particular structural and/or functional architecture but insteadcan be implemented on any suitable hardware, firmware and/or softwareconfiguration. Similarly, while certain functionality is ascribed tocertain system components, unless the context dictates otherwise, thisfunctionality can be distributed among various other system componentsin accordance with the several embodiments.

Moreover, while the procedures of the methods and processes describedherein are described in a particular order for ease of description,unless the context dictates otherwise, various procedures may bereordered, added, and/or omitted in accordance with various embodiments.Moreover, the procedures described with respect to one method or processmay be incorporated within other described methods or processes;likewise, system components described according to a particularstructural architecture and/or with respect to one system may beorganized in alternative structural architectures and/or incorporatedwithin other described systems. Hence, while various embodiments aredescribed with—or without—certain features for ease of description andto illustrate exemplary aspects of those embodiments, the variouscomponents and/or features described herein with respect to a particularembodiment can be substituted, added and/or subtracted from among otherdescribed embodiments, unless the context dictates otherwise.Consequently, although several exemplary embodiments are describedabove, it will be appreciated that the invention is intended to coverall modifications and equivalents within the scope of the followingclaims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method, comprising: receiving, with a device, afirst user input from a user to lock-in a first weight supported by acar seat, wherein the first weight corresponds to an occupant in the carseat; measuring, with the device, the first weight of the occupant inthe car seat, in response to receiving the first user input; storing,with the device and in a local data storage device, the measured firstweight; measuring, with the device, a second weight of supported by thecar seat; determining, with the device, whether the second weightmatches the stored first weight; based on a determination that thesecond weight does not match the first weight, notifying, with thedevice, the user.
 2. The method of claim 1 further comprising attachingthe device to the car seat.
 3. The method of claim 2 further comprisingattaching the device to one or more handles of the car seat.
 4. Themethod of claim 1, further comprising placing the device at a bottomportion of the car seat.
 5. The method of claim 4, wherein the bottomportion includes one of under a bottom shell portion, within or on abottom inner cushion, or between the bottom shell portion and the bottominner cushion.
 6. The method of claim 1, further comprising placing thedevice below one or more feet of the car seat.
 7. The method of claim 1,further comprising affixing the device between the car seat and each ofone or more wheel casters coupled to the car seat.
 8. The method ofclaim 1, wherein measuring each of the first weight and the secondweight comprises measuring using a weight measurement device comprisinga load cell selected from a group consisting of a strain gauge loadcell, a piezoelectric load cell, a capacitive load cell, a compressionload cell, a compression/tension load cell, an S-beam load cell, abending beam load cell, a platform load cell, a single point load cell,a canister load cell, and a low profile load cell.
 9. The method ofclaim 8, further comprising: determining that the car seat is beingmoved by determining, with the device, that the load cell of the weightmeasurement device is being actuated.
 10. The method of claim 1, whereinmeasuring each of the first weight and the second weight comprisesmeasuring using a weight measurement device comprising a contact surfaceand a contact sensor, wherein the weight measurement device has astructure that causes the contact surface to be brought into contactwith the contact sensor when a first portion of the weight measurementdevice is lifted with respect to a second portion of the weightmeasurement device, which is coupled to the car seat.
 11. The method ofclaim 10, wherein the contact sensor comprises at least one of a flexsensor, a piezoelectric-based sensor, a compression-based sensor, or aspring-based sensor.
 12. The method of claim 1, further comprising:determining, with a location detection device of the device, a firstlocation of the car seat when measuring the first weight of the carseat; storing, with the device, the first location in the local datastorage device; determining that the car seat is being moved bydetermining, with the location detection device, that a present locationof the device is different from the first location of the device; andbased on the determination by the location detection device that the carseat is being moved, measuring, with the device, the second weight. 13.The method of claim 12, further comprising: determining, responsive tothe determination that the car seat is being moved, that the car seat isempty.
 14. The method of claim 12, further comprising: determining,responsive to the determination that the car seat is being moved, thatthe occupant is still in the car seat.
 15. The method of claim 12,further comprising determining that the car seat is being moved bydetermining, with the location detection device, that a present locationof the device is different from the first location of the device. 16.The method of claim 1, further comprising, receiving second user input,wherein measuring a second weight of the car seat comprises measuring asecond weight of the car seat in response to the second user input. 17.An apparatus, comprising: at least one processor; a weight measurementdevice; a user interface device; a computer readable storage medium incommunication with the at least one processor, the computer readablestorage medium having stored thereon computer software, the computersoftware comprising a set of instructions executable by the at least oneprocessor to: receive, with the weight measurement device, a first userinput from a user to lock-in a first weight supported by a car seat,wherein the first weight corresponds to an occupant in the car seat;measure, with the weight measurement device, the first weight of theoccupant in the car seat, in response to receiving the first user input;store, with the weight measurement device and in a local data storagedevice, the measured first weight; measure, with the weight measurementdevice, a second weight of supported by the car seat; determine, withthe weight measurement device, whether the second weight matches thestored first weight; based on a determination that the second weightdoes not match the first weight, notify, with the device, the user. 18.The apparatus of claim 17, wherein the set of instructions are furtherexecutable to: determine that the car seat is being moved bydetermining, with the weight measuring device, that the load cell of theweight measurement device is being actuated.
 19. The apparatus of claim17, further comprising a location detection device, wherein the set ofinstructions are further executable to: determine, with a locationdetection device of the device, a first location of the car seat whenmeasuring the first weight of the car seat; store, with the device, thefirst location in the local data storage device; determine that the carseat is being moved by determining, with the location detection device,that a present location of the device is different from the firstlocation of the device; and based on the determination by the locationdetection device that the car seat is being moved, determining whetherthe occupant is in the car seat.
 20. A system comprising: a car seatcomprising a bottom portion and seat back; a car seat monitoring devicecoupled to car seat, the car seat monitoring device comprising: aprocessor; a computer readable storage medium in communication with theprocessor, the computer readable storage medium having stored thereoncomputer software, the computer software comprising a set ofinstructions executable by the processor to: receive, with the weightmeasurement device, a first user input from a user to lock-in a firstweight supported by a car seat, wherein the first weight corresponds toan occupant in the car seat; measure, with the weight measurementdevice, the first weight of the occupant in the car seat, in response toreceiving the first user input; store, with the weight measurementdevice and in a local data storage device, the measured first weight;measure, with the weight measurement device, a second weight ofsupported by the car seat; determine, with the weight measurementdevice, whether the second weight matches the stored first weight; basedon a determination that the second weight does not match the firstweight, notify, with the device, the user.